| |
| Beyond Academics |
| |
| Insignis
is more than just an academic program. In keeping with the mission
of Aquinas College, Insignis’s members are also encouraged
to develop the emotional and spiritual sides of their personalities. Special
workshops and meetings designed to meet the unique needs of honors
students are offered regularly. Students may also participate
in a full range of cultural activities, such as attending the Grand
Rapids Symphony Orchestra or Civic Theatre, to balance their intellectual
development and to help them lead well-rounded lives. The
Insignis Program is affiliated with both the Michigan Honors Association
and the Mid-East Honors Association. Insignis students regularly
attend the annual conferences of these organizations with the director
of the program. |
| |
| In
monthly meetings, members are able to discuss matters of concern
with
one another a relaxed, informal atmosphere. An annual retreat
in the fall sets the tone for what’s to come and the year ends
with a Symposium to recognize outstanding achievements of Insignis
members. Throughout
the year, special trips and activities are made available to Insignis
students at little or no cost. In the past, these have included
trips to the Art Institute of Chicago, the Detroit Institute of Arts,
and the Stratford (Ontario) Shakespeare Festival. |
| |
| Because
a commitment to serving others is considered a basic part of a well-rounded
education, Insignis students are also expected to spend some part of
their time each semester in volunteer service. |
| |
| Insignis
Service Learning Program |
| To
be complete, a college education should develop all of a student’s
capacities, academic, social, spiritual and personal. The Insignis
service learning program offers students an opportunity to get involved
in the life of the Aquinas and greater communities through serving
those
communities. The idea for a service component in the Insignis
Program originated with the students and was developed by the students
and the Insignis director. Service learning has been a part of
Insignis since 1993 when the Committee on Studies of the Academic Assembly
approved the service learning component. |
| |
| Definition
of Service |
| For
purposes of the Insignis Program requirement, “service”
is defined as any non-curricular activity engaged in by the student
which benefits other people, either directly or indirectly, and for
which the student does not receive any compensation either in the form
of money or college credit. |
| |
| This
definition is purposely broad. Some people function very well
in inner city soup kitchens, others find work with children more congenial.
Some have a natural talent for working directly with people, while
others
may prefer more solitary volunteering. Students should attempt
to find a type of service that is something they can do well and that
will encourage their personal growth and benefit others at the same
time. |
| |
| Many
service opportunities are available on campus through CAVA/SAC and
Campus
Ministry. Off-campus opportunities are available in the Grand
Rapids and Kent County area, or students may complete their service
learning in their home communities. |
| |
| The
service component of Insignis may be completed all at once (e.g. a service
learning trip, a day or two of activity totaling 15 contact hours),
or through the semester (e.g. one hour per week each week). |
| |
| Procedure |
- At the beginning
of each semester, students will receive a service learning log on
which they should keep track of their service activities (see next
page).
- At the end of each
semester, students should return their service learning logs to
the
Director via campus mail. Students may also submit a record
of their service via e-mail to the Insignis Director.
- The Director notes the student’s
activities in the student’s permanent file.
|
| Symposium |
| The
Symposium is an annual dinner, held in the spring, at which special
recognition is given to graduating seniors who have participated in
the Insignis Program. |
| |
| At
this event, seniors who have completed or are completing their senior
projects or undergraduate assistantships will be called upon to make
short presentations on their work. |
| |
| Other
activities, events, speakers, etc. may be included in this annual event. |
| |
| The
Symposium will generally be organized by the officers and members of
the senior class working within a budget approved by the Director. |
